The Gi's War (Da Capo Paperback) - Softcover

Hoyt, Edwin P.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0306804484 ISBN 13: 9780306804489

Publisher: Da Capo Press, 1991

Synopsis

Nearly ten years in the making, The GI's War tells the story of the European war through the eyes of the field soldiers who actually fought it the ”dogfaces.” Unfolding chronologically from the summer of 1940 to V-E Day, 1945, this is a gripping account of Americans fighting for their country.To get the ground-level view, historian Edwin P. Hoyt contacted scores of veterans and drew extensively on their interviews, letters, and diaries. From these sources he pieced together an enormous montage of vivid details, each one an event recalled by an individual soldier. The portrait that emerges is impressionistic, yet realistic. The combat infantryman's experience comes to light in all its horror and glory: Excruciating boredom and bewilderment are interrupted by flashes of sheer terror. Hoyt follows both new recruits and seasoned veterans. Their stories tell of basic training and combat; mobilization and recreation; rations and weapons.Hoyt gives us a picture of the war as these men saw and lived through it; confessions and gut reactions; frank opinions of commanding officers; tales of rivalries within the ranks; revelations of errors and incompetence; chilling accounts of atrocities committed by both sides. The result ultimately conveys heroism more effectively than the romantic sagas that glorify war. Astonishing bravery emerges from the ranks of these soldiers slogging through the mud and their victory over a determined and skillful enemy is all the more admirable in its gritty reality.

About this title

About the Author

For the last twenty years, Gary C. King has been one of America's foremost crime writers. Over 400 of his stories have appeared in crime magazines across the United States, Canada, and England, including "True Detective," "Official Detective," "Inside Detective," "Front Page Detective," and "Master Detective," His books "Web of Deceit," "Driven to Kill" (which was nominated for an Anthony Award in the Best True Crime Book category at Bouchercon 25) and "Blood Lust: Portrait of a Serial Sex Killer" were chosen as a featured selection of the True Crime Book Club. He is also the author of "Blind Rage," "Savage Vengeance," co-written with Don Lasseter, "An Early Grave," "The Texas 7," and "Murder in Hollywood," A full-time writer, Mr. King is an active member of The Mystery Writers of America. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife and two daughters

Review

Fascinating....The reader will be riveted by the intimacy of the accounts and the honesty of the comments. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Hoyt adds breadth and depth to our understanding [and] uncovers a host of stories by common soldiers that are at times, amusing and enlightening; at times, horrifying and disgusting....[A] healthy corrective to official history. (CHOICE)

Throughout this fast-paced narrative, Hoyt skillfully depicts how foot soldiers gradually evolved from an original state of confused ineptitude into disciplined warriors....Unblinkingly realistic and scrupulously unsentimental. (Publishers Weekly)

About this edition

• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0306804484
• ISBN 13: 9780306804489
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 656